Woodward First Assembly

AKA: Jehova Rohi

Making Room: The Law Of Increase

Living Above SEE Level

Pastor's Notes:

Romans 4:13-22 NKJV
13 For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise made of no effect, 15 because the law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression.16 Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be [a]sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all 17 (as it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; 18 who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be.” 19 And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. 20 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. 22 And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness.”
INTRODUCTION
Good morning, everybody!
I hope you’re excited to be here today. I know I sure am. I love the holidays, but I’m certainly glad to be getting back into the routine of life. I loved the Christmas season as we really focused on the personhood of Jesus Christ and His power to save humanity.
Next week, I’l be starting a brand new series entitled “First Things First”, that will propel us in to the new year.

But today, on this last Sunday of December, I want to talk to you about faith. I’ve entitled this message “Living Above See Level”.
ILLUSTRATION
January 1 marks a point on our Western calendar called “New Year”, and it has become a day where people traditionally have made some goals and adjustments to their lives. We’ve all heard them.
- Lose weight
- Start a business
- Get out of debt
- Read the Bible through
You name it, and people have tried it.
Many have succeeded ,while many have failed. I wont ask you to raise your hand to share if you made your resolution last year or not.
TRANSITION
The truth is, many of us have goals and ambitions in life, but what if I told you that God didn’t create you just to be mundane or to merely exist?
What if I told you that God wanted you to live an adventurous life of faith? Well, He does!And I’m telling you, you have to think bigger in this new year!- Some of you are stuck relationally
- Some of you are stuck financially
- You're at a dead end job, working for someone else dream, someone else’s vision.
- You are hand to mouth and check to check

- Some of you are stuck spiritually
- You are doubting God’s call
- And Gasp.....We can even be stuck as a church - Living on yesterday’s vision
- Living on outdated methodology
We can become paralyzed by fear, discouraged by circumstances, and held captive by our senses.
It’s time to believe God and to life by faith! That is, to live by more than what we can see.
BACKGROUND
In our passage, we are told about a name named Abraham, who the Bible does call “The Father of Our Faith”.
Abraham was chosen by God to start the nation of Israel. However, we have an issue: Abram is old and Sarai is barren! That doesn't make for a good situation!
Yet, Abram received a promise from God.
APPLICATION
1. Faith receives the promise (vs. 13-16)
- We receive the promise not by works. - We receive the promise not by the law. - We receive it by faith.
2. Faith proclaims the promise (vs. 17-18)
- Faith proclaims the promise.

- “He called those things that be not as though they were.”
- Don’t forget that God changed His name from Abram to Abraham. Abraham means “father of many nations”.
- That means that long before He had kids, God was speaking over him. Every time someone called his name, they were prophesying.
- It’s not lying to say what God says.
- That’s why Joel 3:10 NKJV says “Let the weak say I am strong”
3. Faith rejects present circumstances (vs. 19)
- We often forget that there is a time frame between the promise and the manifestation.
- From the time God first called Abraham (i.e. Abram) in Haran, to the time when his “son of promise” Isaac was born, nearly three decades went by. Abram left Haran for the “Promised Land” when he was 75 years old, full of faith and the zeal of a new recruit into God's kingdom.
- That means there were many mornings to wake up doubting. Many days to keep “looking”, but he decided to live ABOVE “see” level”.
- He wasn’t weak in faith. He didn’t consider his own body being dead. He didn’t consider the deadness of Sara’s womb.
- He did not waver. “One morning God will, one morning He’s not.The next day, maybe He will........James 1:6-8 NKJV But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
4. Faith builds our confidence (vs. 20-21)
- He gave God glory. Faith always praises God in advance.

- He was persuaded that God was able.
5. Faith pleases God (vs.22)
- He was made righteous due to his unwavering faith.
- Hebrews 11:6 NKJV But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a reward er of those who diligently seek Him.
CONCLUSION
What you have to understand about God is that payday isn’t always on Friday, but there’s always a reward for our faith. He is faithful. Do you trust Him?

Unwrapping Christmas-4-Anything But Ordinary

This morning we finish up with the Unwrapping Christmas series. Today pastor Brad has titled this sermon Anything But Ordinary.

Pastors Notes:

For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

INTRODUCTION

“Christmas is full of surprises.”

Somewhere in my reading this week I ran across that sentence. While I am sure it is true, it doesn’t always seem true. Christmas poses a yearly challenge to those of us who have heard the story since we were children.

After you have attended 20 or 30 or 40 Christmas pageants, and after you have listened to at least that many Christmas sermons, and heard (and sung) every Christmas carol a few hundred times, what more is left to be said that hasn’t been said before?

If you know about Christmas at all, you know about Mary and the angel Gabriel, about the dangerous journey to Bethlehem, about Caesar’s decree, about Herod’s insane jealousy, about the inn with a “No Vacancy” sign, about the angels and the shepherds, and about the mysterious Wise Men from the east, and the last-second flight into Egypt. All of these stories are so well known that when we hear them again, we don’t really hear them at all because we’ve heard them all before. We hear but we don’t hear.

That is indeed a problem. Familiarity can breed, if not contempt, at least a kind of casual disinterest. Which is sad because the story of Christmas is indeed full of surprises. There are unexpected miracles on every hand. And after all, it tells the most amazing story: That God invaded human history in the form of a tiny, helpless baby.

One of the best ways to fight against the tendency to sleep through a Christmas sermon is to focus on the details. Sometimes it helps to take out the microscope and study just one tiny fragment of the story. By looking closely at a small part, we may see the whole thing in a new light. With that in mind, let’s focus our attention on just one verse of Scripture and see what it says to us.

TRANSITION

Before we jump into the text, let me add a personal note. I suppose I have heard this verse read hundreds of times.

ILLUSTRATION

Our world today seems to be a place of chaos.

APPLICATION
I. His HUMANITY

II. His DIVINITY

III. His NATURE (Names)

AKA- Jehovah Jireh

Tonight we continue our midweek series AKA - The Names Of God. Pastor Brad teaches us about Jehovah Jireh God The Provider.

Pastors Notes:

AKA - Jehovah Jireh

TEXT
Genesis 22:7-18 NKJV

But Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!”

And he said, “Here I am, my son.”
Then he said, “Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the [a]lamb for a burnt offering?”
8 And Abraham said, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” So the two of them went together.
9 Then they came to the place of which God had told him. And Abraham built an altar there and placed the wood in order; and he bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, upon the wood. 10 And Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.
11 But the Angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!”
So he said, “Here I am.”
12 And He said, “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.”
13 Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 And Abraham called the name of the place, [b]The-Lord-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, “In the Mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”
15 Then the Angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time out of heaven, 16 and said: “By Myself I have sworn, says the Lord, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son—
17 blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies. 18 In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”

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INTRODUCTION

Good evening, everybody!

I’m so glad you’ve joined with us this evening. I hope you’re ready to jump back into looking at the various names of God in the Bible.

Over the last few weeks, we’ve looked at Elohim and discussed the doctrine of the Trinity, and also Jehovah Rapha, the Lord who heals. Tonight, I want to look at another one of the redemptive names of God, as we look at “Jehovah Jireh”, the Lord my provider.

ILLUSTRATION

There have been many songs written and many sermons preached about “Jehovah Jireh”.

Most of them are about finances, blessings, etc. While all of those things can fall under this, this is not the main thought behind this name.

You see, the root word “Jireh” means “to see”. When compounded together, it means “to provide”.

This gives us way more insight into our text and why this is something to shout about.

BACKGROUND

We learn about God’s name Jehovah-Jireh in the biblical story of Abraham offering up his son Isaac on the altar of sacrifice. Abraham, knowing that what he saw in the spiritual realm affected his own actions in the physical realm, he recognized the power of sight in calling the place of sacrifice Jehovah Jireh. Somewhere in the combination of those two names, there is a relationship between God “seeing” and God “providing.”


 APPLICATION

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Wednesday, December 18, 2019

1. The Problematic

   - It seemed unthinkable.
   - He was the promised child.

2. The Prophetic

   - We have to view this as a type of Christ
   - His description (Your only son)
   - He was to be sacrificed
   - He was to be offered on Mt. Moriah (Calvary) - Carried the wood he was to be bound on

   - Isaac freely submitted himself (He wasn’t a child and abraham was

old.)

-He was released back to life after three days (He was dead in Abraham’s mind for three days)

3. The Practical

- The coin in the mouth of a fish. - Matthew 17:27

- Helen Roseaver, the medical missionary from Ireland who received a package.

CONCLUSION

So He is Jehovah Jireh because He see’s it before we need it.
That’s exactly why Jesus is the lamb slain “from the foundations of the earth.”

Unwrapping Christmas-3-The Reason For The Season

Pastors Notes:

The Reason For The Season
Unwrapping Christmas
TEXT

 

Matthew 1:18-21 NKJV
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. (19) Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. (20) But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. (21) And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins."
INTRODUCTION
Well folks, that time is upon us! Christmas time! Jesus birth, Lights, trees, presents, hot cocoa, family, smiles...........These are the things that most of us think of when we think of Christmas. For the most, it is a happy time.
For others however, Christmas is a dreaded time. How can that be? For some, it’s a time of comparison. To others, it is a time of sorrow. To others, it may be a time that reminds you of loss.
This morning, I’d like to really take some time to tell you about the true meaning of Christmas.  This morning, I’ve entitled this message “The Reason For The Season”.
ILLUSTRATION
How many of us have ever heard “Jesus is the reason for the season”?
I feel like most of us have heard that statement. I totally understand what they are meaning by that. What they are saying is that Christmas isn’t about Santa, lights, presents, or the such. They are right. However, I want you to allow me to elaborate a little further.
While Jesus is the reason we celebrate Christmas, you and I are the reason Jesus came to Earth. He came because you and I needed saved.

BACKGROUND
The Christmas story is very beautiful as it tells of the process of which God purchased redemption for mankind.
In Israel, a little baby was born, but He was no ordinary child. He was the Son of God. When He grew up, He was offered as the ultimate sacrifice, and as the lamb was slain on Passover, so Jesus became our Passover!
This passage truly sums up the reason for Christmas.
John 3:16-17 NKJV
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (17) For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

APPLICATION

1.The Offer

- He gave a sacrifice

2. The Opportunity

- It must be accepted by faith

3. The Outcome

- It brings salvation

AKA: Jehova Rapha

Unwrapping Christmas-2-The Glory Of Christmas

Today we continue with the Christmas Unwrapped Series. Pastor teaches us about the Glory Of Christmas.

Pastor's Notes:

Luke 2:8-15 NKJV

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And [a]behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a [b]manger.”
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
14
“Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill[c] toward men!”
15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.”

INTRODUCTION

Good morning, everybody!

I hope you enjoyed last week as we looked at “A Scary Christmas”. I hope after you looked at it, you see now that indeed it would have been frightening at least at first.

This morning, I want to talk to you about an often missing piece in the Christmas story: The Holy Spirit. Specifically, I want to talk to you about the Glory of God.

ILLUSTRATION

There’s no secret that us pentecostal people are no stranger to the Holy Spirit. We like the tongues, the gifts, the lively music and worship, and everything that comes with it.

The Holy Spirit plays a vital role in the Scripture, and even in our lives today.

However, the Holy Spirit has always played a roll in Israel’s history, From Genesis chapter one, all the way through.

One of the ways the Holy Spirit, or shall we say “The presence of God” was manifested in the Old Testament was through a holy piece of furniture called the Ark of the Covenant.

Before the permanent temple was built, the children of Israel would move the tabernacle from place to place, carefully moving this piece of holy architecture. The presence of God rested upon the mercy seat, and if someone touched it or handled it incorrectly, death happened.

We see an interesting piece of information in Ezekiel 8.

The Lord is looking inside the temple. There’s much idolatry happening there. Idols are set up in it. The Lord becomes jealous.

Ezekiel 10 gives us a sad picture.

The glory of God lifts up off of the mercy seat and stopped. No one noticed. They continued. Then, the presence of God went out to the door of the temple. Once again, no one noticed. Then, it went out to the Eastern Gate and stopped. No one noticed. Then, it stood over the Mt. of Olives. Nothing.

Then, it departed completely. How sad!

It’s possibly for people to lose the presence of God and not know it. Just ask Samson

It’s clear that there were between 400-600 inter-testamental years where there is no glory in Israel. But why am I telling you this?

BECAUSE THE GLORY DIDN’T REAPPEAR UNTIL IT APPEARED IN THE SHEPHERDS FIELD!

This is the first time the glory has been seen in Israel in about 600 years!

BACKGROUND

Luke 2 tells us about the shepherds who receive a divine message in the night. Let’s look at these three elements in the city of Bethlehem.

APPLICATION
1. The Shepherds

- These Shepherds were in the fields being faithful at what they were doing.

- This was not an uncommon thing for people to do.

- Bethlehem was the place that was known for raising lambs.

2. The Salutation

- These angels came with the Glory, but also with an announcement: TODAY a child is born....

3. The Sign

- He would be in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

- Do you know how many mangers there are in Bethlehem?

- How would there know where to go?

- The clue is in this sign: Swaddling clothes.

- What I didn’t tell you about these shepherds is that they weren’t normal shepherds.........

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CONCLUSION

Why Bethlehem? These shepherds were Levitical shepherds, and what that means is they were tasked with raising the Passover lambs.....

When a lamb was born and examined and deemed pure, he was wrapped in a swaddling cloth to protect him from blemish until he can be be presented to the temple for offering.

That’s Jesus, folks!
He’s the “Lamb of God”, who takes away the sins of the world!

AKA: Elohim

Unwrapping Christmas-1-A Scary Christmas

this morning Pastor Brad starts a new series he calls Unwrapping Christmas. He has titled his first sermon A Scary Christmas.

Pastor's Notes:

Luke 1:26-38 NKJV
Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, (27) to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. (28) And having come in, the angel said to her, "Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!" (29) But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. (30) Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary,for you have found favor with God. (31) And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. (32) He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. (33) And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end." (34) Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?" (35) And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. (36) Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. (37) For with God nothing will be impossible." (38) Then Mary said, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.

INTRODUCTION
Good morning, every body! I’m so refreshed to be back after a great week, and I can’t wait to get started on this brand new series entitled “Unwrapping Christmas”.
While the commercialism of our day wants to focus on Santa, elves, and Rudolph, I want to refocus us this month on the true purpose of the season, which is the birth of Christ
Today, I’m going to look at Mary, and how this first Christmas was a scary one.
You don’t think Christmas is scary? You should totally go to Wal Mart on a Christmas Eve sometime!
TRANSITION
This morning, we are going to look at Mary, the mother of Jesus. The Bible is really not concrete about Mary’s lineage, other than she is Elizabeth’s cousin. He was a Jewess of the tribe of Judah, engaged to a carpenter, and both of them appeared to be poor in the world’s eyes.
When approaching the person of Mary, people either do one of two things:
1. Ignore her2. Worship her to almost the same status as Jesus.
While we don’t need to ignore her, we also need to make certain we don’t exalt her.

APPLICATION
1. She was chosen by God (vs.28)
a. Mary was selected as being with favor in God’s eyes.
b. We know that Mary wasn’t perfect, because the Scripture says that “all have sinned”. Mary also referred to Jesus as “savior”. Luke 1:46-47 And Mary said: "My soul magnifies the Lord, (47) And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
c. God chooses the most of unlikely. She was young. She was a virgin.
2. She was surprised by the message (vs. 29-30)
a. She would be pregnant.b. She would be a teenage mom, c. She would have the son of God d. That’s enough to be scary.
3. She sincerely had questions (vs. 34)
a. How will these things be?- I’ve never been a mom. It doesn’t make logistical sense. - I’ve never been intimate. It doesn’t make physical sense.
b. What about the unasked questions? - What are people going to say?
c. Have we all not have had questions when God wants to use us?
4. She surrendered to the plan (vs. 38)
a. She submitted to the plan of God.
b. She received the word of the Lord.

CONCLUSION
Because she wasn’t scared and said yes, she opened up the way of salvation to us.